How To Decorate Around an Air Conditioner

Every week, we're asking designer Scot Meacham Wood, formerly of Ralph Lauren and now owner of his eponymous design firm, a question from our readers. This week's topic is all about decorating with an air conditioner in the way. Have a decorating dilemma? Comment below and yours might be featured in a future installment.

Q: My living room has a lovely big window, but right below is a big air conditioner. It's a necessary evil in the New York summer, but as a renter I'm at the mercy of where my landlord has installed it — which is dead-center, right beneath the window sill, making the entire bottom part of the wall basically useless. How can I decorate around this thing? —Amy P.

A: Amy, one of my favorite things about the interior design business is our ability to "control" things. As we work our way through any large (or small) project, I can micro-manage everything detail from the metal finish on every toilet paper holder to the placement and illumination of a piece of artwork from England. We spend hours and hours here at our offices dealing with "the details." But when I go home each evening, like you, I'm a renter, so I often have to check my "control freak" at the front door.

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Our particular challenge here in San Francisco are the Victorian radiators littering (and randomly placed in) most period apartments. But whether it's heating or cooling, the best way to look at the problem is head on. Part of the trick here is disguising the unit without blocking the view. As I see it, your choices can either be long-term or short-term — based on the number of years you see yourself living there.

1. The Short-Term
The tough news is that you can really only fix architecture with architecture, and since you can't relocate the air conditioning unit yourself, we need to pull your eye away from it. Let's start with the good news: You have a large window and a beautiful view, so let's give it some importance! Proper custom window treatments will give your view a perfect frame — make sure to keep those hems long so you could use them in another apartment. I might even layer the view with a bamboo roman shade (with an inside mount) to make a big design statement. Now, let's furnish! Maybe place a pair of upholstered arm chairs with the skirted table between them in front of the window so you can one, block the view of the air conditioning unit; two, not block your view out the window; and 3, create a marvelous place to sit and enjoy your window on the world.

2. The Long-Term
If you feel like you're going to be in the space much longer, you have a few more options. You could talk to a local contractor or cabinet-maker and design a window seat that incorporates the air conditioning unit into the base of the seat. Use some sort of grille-work (or lattice-work) as the structure, you should still get good air circulation through the front and create a little retreat. Again, I would recommend window treatments to make this space into a visual "destination." You're going to have to invest some funds into the room, but, if you're planning to stay there for a while, I always think any investment that you make into your living situation is going to be well-rewarded.

As I often say in these missives, you're almost always better served by making a serious, declarative "design statement" rather than mumbling a half-baked design idea. The more interesting your room is the less likely you are to notice its flaws. It doesn't need to be visually dense to be interesting — just look at all the details and make some intentional decisions to make your space come alive.

Maybe use this charming little nook from designer Krista Ewart as inspiration: It's visually bold and inventive (and some open lattice across the front would give you good circulation!) Plus, it gives one the perfect spot to recline and enjoy the outside — safely from an air conditioned retreat!